propitious

Definition

Did You Know?

Propitious, which comes to us through Middle English from the Latin word propitius, is a synonym of favorable and auspicious. All three essentially mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," with some differences of emphasis. Favorable implies that someone or something involved in a situation is approving or helpful ("a favorable recommendation"), or that circumstances are advantageous ("favorable weather conditions"). Auspicious usually applies to a sign or omen that promises success before or at the start of an event ("an auspicious beginning"). Propitious may also apply to beginnings, but it often suggests a continuing promising condition ("propitious conditions for an alliance").

Examples

With the economy emerging from a recession, it was a propitious time to invest in a start-up.

"My instincts tell me that this is a propitious moment in time, a time when people support and insist upon decisive action, a time when policymakers have the courage and commitment to move forward with ideas that may seem bold but are, in essence, sensible and straightforward." — James Aloisi, Commonwealth Magazine, 7 Mar. 2019